Lebanese Singer Elissa Sparks Controversy After Throwing Back Palestinian Keffiyeh in Tunisia
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Lebanese singer Elissa sparked controversy during a concert in Tunisia after throwing back a Palestinian keffiyeh thrown at her, leading to accusations of political insensitivity. She previously showed support for Palestinians and condemned Hezbollah in 2026, but did not comment on this specific incident.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A Palestinian keffiyeh was thrown at Lebanese singer Elissa during her Tunisia concert.
- Elissa caught and threw the keffiyeh back into the crowd, sparking online debate.
- Some accused her of not supporting Palestinians due to Lebanon's Christian-Palestinian tensions.
- Others cited her 2024 performance in Sweden where she wore a keffiyeh as evidence of support.
- Elissa expressed affection for Tunisia but did not address the controversy directly.
- In 2026, she condemned Hezbollah and Iran, calling them a terrorist threat to Lebanon.
During a recent concert in Tunis, Lebanese singer Elissa faced controversy after a Palestinian keffiyeh was thrown at her from the audience. Video footage shows Elissa catching the keffiyeh, examining it briefly, and then throwing it back into the crowd. This gesture sparked debate online, with some accusing her of not supporting Palestinians, citing tensions between Lebanon's Christian population and Palestinian refugees. Others defended Elissa, pointing to a 2024 performance in Malmo, Sweden, where she wore a keffiyeh thrown to her by the audience, suggesting her actions were not politically motivated.
Elissa did not directly address the incident but expressed affection for Tunisia and its people on her Twitter account. Earlier in 2026, she publicly condemned Hezbollah and Iran, calling on the Lebanese government to take decisive action against what she described as a terrorist organization that no longer represents resistance. Her statements included the slogan "Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon. No Hezbollah." The incident highlights the complex political and social dynamics surrounding Palestinian symbols and Lebanese public figures.
The event took place in the capital of Tunisia, and the reactions reflect ongoing regional sensitivities regarding Palestinian issues and Lebanese internal divisions. Elissa's career as a prominent Lebanese Christian artist adds further layers to the public's interpretation of her response to the keffiyeh being thrown at her.
